Awesome Braids for Summer

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Braids are a great way to glam up your look. For prom night, wedding parties or any other special occasion why not go for a braided updo? Unpretentious but very stylish this will work great and keep the hair out of your face the whole night. Woo hoo!

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For a sexy layered look all you need is a couple of simple braids peeking from relaxed wavy hair. The ruffles on Kim’s top definitely adds romance and femininity to this look and are a perfect match with her hair.

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Taylor Swift’s easy updo seems to contain a variety of braids tied around the headband. Can you DIY it? Absolutely!

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If you looooove to accessorize this is your thing, messy braided updo held up by lotsa bling. Yeah!

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A simple ponytail fishtail can be highly effective and give your look a young vibe. Add hair extensions to get a gorgeous voluminous fishtail like Blake’s.

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This hairdo has some added oomph thanks to that extra volume on top. Red carpet ready.

  
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I just love how crazy this look is. Its like you’ve been driving a sexy convertible with your bestie up and down the country and just arrived at the party.

This is my first attempt to do a fishtail 🙂 I definitely need more practice.

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Gorgeous look that is probably impossible to DIY, simply beautiful. No idea how to do it. Quick, call your hairdresser!

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This one is totally manageable and will look equally cool on an adult. 

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This one is a favorite of mine, so slick and super cool for a sporty young look. Warning: You gotta do it real tight, so don’t attempt if you have a sensitive scalp.

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Why not add on a string of gems, ribbons or chains? This can instantly transform the look and make it look hip, boho or edgy. 

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This easy updo is right up my street. Perfect for when you are already late. Save this photo for those kind of emergencies.

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Is this the fattest fishtail you have ever seen or what? Love it! I will definitely try to reproduce this look with the help of a LOT of hair extensions and some hair chalk. 

I hope there is enough inspiration here for you to go ahead and try a braid! 

Style Icon: Madonna

Madonna has long been noted for her ever-changing looks. A true fashion chameleon, she has gone from fashion rebel in the 80s, sultry leather clad vixen in the 90s, avant-garde style maven in the 00’s, and finally to sophisticated glamazon. Her fashion line, Material Girl, with her daughter, Lola has been hugely successful and a testament to her fashion prowess. She is a true quadruple threat, Madonna is a singer, dancer, actress, and designer. A true style icon.

Here are some of my favorite Madonna looks:

Green fringe, Veronica Lake inspired waves, and a bold red lip spell Old Hollywood glam. But the armful of bangles on each arm say modern and edgy.

Pictured with her gorgeous daughter, Lola, Madonna goes back to her 80s roots with sexy lace and fur.

I am simply in love with this satin embellished gown! Such a departure from typical red carpet glam.

Who can pull of this menswear inspired outfit better than Madonna? No one. Gotta love those diamond encrusted gloves.

Clad in Versace, Madonna shows off her yoga-toned bod while dripping in jewels.

A frequent collaborator of famous photographer duo, Mert and Marcus, Madonna wows once again in this Marilyn Monroe inspired shoot.

Another Mert and Marcus collaboration for Interview Magazine, this photo is an update of her style back in the 80s. I love those stacked chain arm candy!

Mert and Marcus are incredible when capturing Madonna’s verve and unique energy. This shoot for her MDNA album is like a throwback to the time of Gaultier bustiers and Vogue-ing. I love it!

Images from Elle and Billboard

And there you have it, Madonna’s awesomeness knows no age and knows no bounds. I love seeing ho her style evolves each time. What is your favourite Madonna fashion moment?  Share it with me!

Aesop

This lovely Aussie brand was introduced to me by a friend of mine and came highly recommended. I have to say I was sceptical. I am always sceptical of things that claim to be all natural.

So I went to their store, with an “I am not convinced face”, got some samples and went home.

Within a couple of weeks I have used up all my samples and fell in love with all the products that contain Geranium. It is just a magical smell. So I went back to the store and got myself some Geranium products.

Geranium leaf body scrub by Aesop is very grainy as you would expect from a quality body scrub, it is not greasy or creamy at all. Instead it is like shower gel mixed with some grains. Looks a little grey-ish.

The amount above is enough to cover your whole body and fill the bathroom with a lovely scent of geranium mixed with bergamot and mandarin orange oil. 

If you just rub it in without using any water it will feel very rough and will not soap up. This is the way I recommend using it for your feet.

I do like to spread it with very little water about once a month to get rid of some rough skin.

Once water is added it spread super easy and foams up really well. 

I like to smear it over the whole body whilst breathing in the aroma. You could say it is like my aromatherapy session at home)))

Now this is Purifying Facial Exfoliant Paste. It doesn’t contain any geranium, but I decided to try a new exfoliant since my old one ran out. It looks like a creamy paste but is actually very light. It is still grainy, but not as rough as the Body Scrub.    

It is quite refined and feels comfortable even on my sensitive skin. I always apply it on a wet face and rub it in gently in circular motion in a way that lifts the skin up (meaning pressing a little harder on the way up and in, and gliding lightly whilst going down and outward). That is an excellent tip if you feel up to a little lifting effect.

I have to say it took me a while to get used to the smell of this product. It is not pleasant, I have been told it is due to lactic acid. However, the result is so good, it is worth pinching your nose for a minute the first few times. Because this product is made with natural ingredients the smell does not stick around. As soon as you rinse your face it is completely gone. My skin feels like velvet, super smooth, even and soft. Almost like baby skin. I use this 2-3 times a week and focus on the T zone and on the area around the lips. This really makes a huge difference for when I apply a darker lipstick.

Don’t forget to apply a generous amount of moisturiser after this.

This baby is for the rest of the week, when I am not using the Exfoliant. It might be the worlds best smelling cleanser. It is super refreshing and it can wake me up at 3 am with the help of some cool water. If you have a problem getting out of bed – this is a wise investment. 

And this is the final stage of the body care – Geranium Leaf Body Balm. Since the products only contain natural ingredients the scent of the Body Scrub or Cleanser won’t stick around, because you have to rinse it off. But the Body Balm scent will and it stays with you. It is a mild natural smell so it won’t interfere with your perfume, but it will be detectable on your skin for a couple hours.

I love to apply this product. It is super easy to smear, glides like butter and is very hydrating.

I like to start with my knees and elbows and spread up and down. As you can see, it looks white once spread and doesn’t feel greasy at all.

The Body Balm absorbs really well and makes my body feel soft and moist.

 

I am hooked. 

 

Wedding Season Is Open

Wedding season is upon us. It’s such an exciting time! Whether you’re a part of the wedding party, a guest, or the blushing bride, there is so much fashion inspiration out there for you.

I simply love weddings! The romance, the elegance, the flowers… there are so many things to love about weddings. Here, I’ve put together the weddings I’ve been loving. The details, design, and chicness of these weddings are extraordinary. Let these images guide you as you plan your own wedding, or just let these beautiful images inspire you for the wedding season ahead.

Erica Pelosini‘s Wedding on The Coveteur

Italian stylist and street style maven Erica Pelosini wed Dutch shoe designer Louis Leeman in the picturesque island of Capri. Fashion industry insiders flocked to this chic island for their amazing wedding!

Laidback with a slight bohemian flair, I love this stylish couple!

I love how they matched their reception outfits to the Mediterranean vibe of Capri. Love the blue and white chiffon gown! And the groom’s espadrilles too!

Cocktail hour in Capri, is there anything more perfect?

Some of their A-list guest include Christie Brinkley and Olivia Palermo.

Unconventional is the new chic. Adorning their reception with lemons instead of flowers made the event more memorable.

Bridesmaids post-wedding brunch in matching Mary Katrantzou dresses is the very definition of wedding chic.

Blogger Jessica Tham’s Wedding

Let me share to you these photos from one of the lifestyle blogs Singapore loves, TippyTapp. I love these meaningful moments she shared. Her chicness definitely shows through!

Pre-Wedding

Pre-wedding shoots are a great way to show your more creative and playful side as a couple.

I love the fashion forward brave coral lip and modern pearl earrings!

The back of this gown is gorgeous! The lace and bow detail is vintage-inspired and oh-so-feminine.

What a dapper groom! That navy suit!

Wedding Nuptials and Reception

Straying away from traditional pastels for her bridal party, the royal blue and lace combo on these bridesmaid dresses is stunning.

As they made their way to the tea ceremony, the couple looked great in black, white, and red. Creative and modern take on the traditional Chinese garment.

Our Happy Ending in Singapore Brides

Check out this pre-wedding shoot! The feeling of romance is still there, but I love how personal, intimate, youthful and playful this shoot is. I am especially in awe of all the colors, that made this shoot come alive!

The painterly print on this chiffon maxi is so dreamy!

Behind-the-Scenes at Bridal Veil as featured in Singapore Brides

Shooting in busy Orchard Road, this behind-the-scenes look into the shoot is so inspiring!

The hair and makeup definitely took a cue from Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Michelle Huinmin’s designs for Bridal Veil are oozing with sophistication and modern elegance.

Loving that contemporary halter neckline. It gives a traditionally white gown an avant garde feel.

Ah… weddings. I’ll never get tired of them. Weddings just have that unique brand of glamour, and it conveys an elegance that is simply incomparable. Which wedding did you love the most?

Secret obsession: Pearls

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“But the pearls were accidents, and the finding of one was luck, a little pat on the back by God or the gods or both.” – The Pearl by John Steinbeck

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Luckily, these days there is no need to wait for any luck to come your way. Imitation pearls are super affordable and can be found everywhere – from high fashion designer stores to online stores.

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For that very same reason they can be used in very creative ways like this monster pearl clutch bag by Chanel.

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Of course, no such thing as “pearl free” zone at Chanel Pre-SS16.

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“Pearls are always appropriate” – Jackie Kennedy

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Very hard to imagine, but before the Era of Imitation Pearls, natural pearls were the only way. They were very hard to come by and thanks to this they earned their “high society” status and today they still associate with elegance and rare beauty.

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To me this photo pretty much sums up the traditional definition of pearls.

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Another image that comes to mind when I think of real pearls is a scene from Breakfast at Tiffany’s with Holly staring at the display with a coffee cup in her hand.

That is one hell of a necklace!

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Grace Kelly is not the only royal to enjoy these precious gems. The modern day icon Kate Middleton enhances her look and elegance with natural pearls on a regular basis.

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Undoubtedly a favourite of many celebrities and designers, pearls always make a statement. Especially in contrast with modern or classic black garment. Very effective indeed.

And these are my very own beautiful pearl earrings from Pearl & Clasp. Small but perfectly formed, these are oh-so-chic yet very affordable. 

When it comes to buying pearl earrings, quality is of paramount importance. One of the first things I always check is the closure.  These little things are high quality, the pearls are flawless and the closure is very good, so I am 100% sure they will never fall out. 

They are so easy to match. I went for a dark blue eyeliner to further enhance the color of the pearls and contrasted it with a pale grey top with a pointy black leather collar.  

The extravagant blue undertone of the pearls gives your look some extra spice whereas a classic white pearl will add some glow to your skin. Don’t know which one to go for?

Check out some pins and get inspiration here. And remember…

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“A woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls” – Coco Chanel

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Style Icon: Nicole Kidman

Multi-awarded Australian actress and producer Nicole Kidman has made a solid name for herself in the film industry as a prolific actress with major acting chops. Tall, statuesque, and striking Kidman has played a variety of roles ranging from Virginia Woolf to Grace of Monaco. Her famous relationships, a marriage with Tom Cruise and her successful marriage with Keith Urban, aside, Nicole Kidman has more than her acting achievements and Hollywood and worldwide fame going for her. She lands on the best dressed list almost every single time she steps onto the red carpet. Her red carpet style is classic and flawless, just like she is.

Here are my picks for Nicole Kidman’s best looks on and off the red carpet:

An update on the classic LBD, the sheer paneling of this dress and the little collar detail just make for an absolutely darling combination. Nicole finished off this look beautifully with black onyx drop earrings and a pair of red sexy stiletto heels.

We’re not accustomed to seeing Nicole Kidman dressed down. But even her version of dressing down still contains her signature polish and sophisticated sense of style. The polka dot sweater and printed trousers work so well together because of the unified color scheme of black and white. I especially love the slightly oversized cuffs peeking out from underneath her sweater. The black bow pumps are amazing too!

What makes this dress a red carpet standout is that bow tied around the neck, which cascades to the back. Kidman is an expert at selecting red carpet gowns that combine a simple silhouette with a dramatic detail, this is one such dress. The halter neckline is also perfect on her lithe frame. She lets the color sing and keeps her beauty look natural.

This sweet springtime inspired frock is completely adorable. What adds a bit of edge to it are the cutouts laid over top and her sleek up do. Opting to finish off the look with a pair of coral pumps is a great choice as it adds a strong hint of bright hue to this ensemble.

Kidman’s brand of sex appeal is all about showing off the right things. Whether it’s her toned shoulders or in this case, her great legs, she abides by the rule of thumb that you should only expose one portion of your body to achieve tasteful and sexy at the same time. The studs on her dress and the multiple straps on her footwear add to the seductive feel of this look.

This embellished gown gives a strong statement on color. The understated and elegant navy color is what provides the timelessness to this dress, any other color would’ve been too boring or too over-the-top. Navy hits all the right notes. Special attention must be paid to Kidman’s beauty look here, center parted poker straight hair with smoky eyes and pink pout, so modern and elegant.

I am positively in love with this dress! It is one of those dress silhouettes that has a little bit of vintage inspiration but definitely feels contemporary. Nicole looks stunning in it! The dress hugs her every curve and looks great against her skin tone and red hair.

Nicole Kidman does casual in leggings, a bohemian loose top, and strappy gladiator sandals. Her sleek high ponytail, structured beige leather tote, and chic black sunnies make this casual outfit look more pulled together. She looks so cute beside her handsome hubby, Keith Urban!

Images from WhoWhatWear, StyleBistro, and InStyle

Which Nicole Kidman look are you loving? Why not channel her style at your next party by wearing classics with a simple yet elegant twist.

Weekend fun

Rain or sunshine – lets have a lovely weekend!

I am on my way home to watch some fashion shows I have missed. Here is one of them:

Have a good one!

Super Easy Hairstyles

Everybody knows that hair is a vital part of any woman’s style.  We get it. We agree. All of us want our hair to look perfect and we do all sorts of things to achieve this. Problem is – hairdos just take forever! It is usually not a problem on the weekend but how about weekdays? That is 5 days out of 7.

If you don’t want to sacrifice an hour of your sleep each morning to have beautiful hair check out these 5 minute options I googled up:

1. Second day hair option:

2.High pony tail with a quick curl:3. Have wavy hair? Lucky you:

4. Curled your hair last night and woke up with a crazy mess? Here is an excellent option:

5. Overslept and only have 1 minute:

6. Classy option fit for any occasion:

7. And the great big bun to round up:

Restaurant Andre

Restaurant Andre was the getaway I chose this June. Getaway to a world of extraordinary food, amazing service and nostalgic european feel.

Couldn’t resist flashing the red soles in front of the restaurant in an attempt to create a bright spot is the atmosphere of calm and perfection.

This is sort of a constitution of Restaurant Andre. Short, creative and very deep.

And this was the wine list. It took up several pages inside this old french book, but looked like it was there from the beginning. What a beautiful touch!

Before the food takes over all the attention, I have to mention those sheep! Aren’t they so adorable!!!

Lets play spot the sheep!

Al right. Fine. Food it is.

Beautifully presented, this food not only pleased aesthetically, but also felt like Christmas to my taste buds. Like an all out best ever Christmas. The flavours were very rich, some were quite unusual and the combinations were exquisite. It was definitely not a safe menu, the classic flavours were present, but always tweaked in some way, not exactly sure how))

I loved that there was a lot of fish present in the menu. I feel that, whilst seafood is still “fashionable”, fish has been overshadowed. I am very much a fan of fish and just want it on a plate in front of me just as much as beef. There is definitely some discrimination there…

Oh, that red “C” shaped thing with lotsa tiny leafs is semi sun dried char grilled papaya. In 3 words: to die for.

Moving on to desserts:

Make your own cake kit: sugar, butter, flour, eggs and a mini chocolate bar. Surprised? Yep.

Irreplaceable organic lavender tea…Aaaaah

I would like to thank Chef Andre, his wife Pam and the lovely team for having us over and creating such an amazing and unforgettable evening.

CFDA Awards 2015 Report

Kim Kardashian’s fire emergency aside, this year’s Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards was full of fashion inspiration and sartorial surprises. Celebrating the very best of fashion design, the CFDA Awards this year did not fail to amaze and to provoke a deeper love for the industry and it’s creative minds.

But before we get to the awards part of the evening,let me bring you some choice red carpet snaps of my personal picks for best dressed.

Image from People StyleWatch

Kim’s grommeted Proenza Schouler gown was undoubtedly one of the most memorable looks of the night. Those feathered shoulders brushed a candle at some point during the night, but luckily Pharrell was there to lend a hand. Wanna know more? Check Kim K.’s Instagram.

Image from Style.com

Gotta love Natasha Poly‘s sexy take on red carpet glamour.

Image from Style.com

Monique Lhuillier and Michelle Monaghan are picture perfect. Classic black and elegant gold, I love it!

Image from Style.com

Julianna Margulies’ metallic gown is alluring and is just the right amount of sheer. Gotta love Michael Kors‘ black suit too, a menswear classic staple.

Image from Style.com

Zachary Quinto‘s sophisticated tuxedo looks even more amazing beside Gigi Hadid‘s blingy and youthful take on the 70s with her gilded jumpsuit.

Image from Style.com

I am simply dying over Emmy Rossum‘s LBD! It’s simply stunning and has the right details into it.

Image from Style.com

Style maven Miroslava Duma is excellent at dressing for her frame. This mini dress with intricate embroidery is a refreshing ensemble and is so fashion forward.

Image from Style.com

Leandra Medine from famed blog, Man Repeller, took her quirky sense of style to the CFDA Awards, and it was terrific! Love the bandana on her wrist!

Image from Style.com

Katharine McPhee took a definite sartorial risk in her long vest and trouser look, and it definitely paid off.

Image from Style.com

DJ and It Girl Harley Viera Newton and designer Cynthia Rowley look printastic in these babydoll shift dresses. The prints are retro yet modern.

Which looks did you love? There were just so many good ones! Red carpet glamour and jaw-dropping fashion aside, the other great part of events is all those memorable quirky moments before the show, during the show, and after it. What better way to take a peek into the full CFDA experience than through Instagram? Here are my favorite Insta snaps from the night.

Chrissy Teigen‘s wardrobe malfunction had her date Stuart Weitzman coming to her rescue. Phew, that was a close call. She looks adorable in this Insta snap though!

I love this funky nail art! Guess whose these David Bowie tips belong to? Blogger Chiara Ferragni, of course! 

Makeup check! Everyone has to check their beauty look before stepping out, right? Aren’t you just in love with her fresh faced look?

Victoria Beckham is oozing elegance as she is escorted by fashion industry insider Hamish Bowles. Still working it even in the rain.

And now, onto the winners! All the winners were movers and shakers that definitely deserved the awards they received. Each one of these designer’s unique vision has shaped the industry and the fashion world.

Images Below from NYTimes.com

Shayne Oliver,the designer behind hip and happening brand Hood By Air, won the Swarovski Award for Menswear.

If you haven’t heard of Mansur Gavriel, you’re not a true fashionista. The covetable minimalist bucket bags from the brands are must-haves for It girls everywhere. Floriana Gavriel and Rachel Mansur, the creatives behind the brand, won the Swarovski Award for Accessory Design.

Kanye West presented Pharrell Williams with the Fashion Icon Award. He completely deserves it. His recent collaboration with Adidas is proof of his design acumen and style savvy.

The night wouldn’t be complete without a Betsey Johnson split. The fun and forever young designer won the night’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and stayed true to her playfulness by repeatedly breaking out her splits throughout the night.

I hope you had as much fun as I had looking through all the fashion and Insta-worthy moments from the CFDA Awards. Until next year!

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